Date
6-1-2008
Department
Counseling Department
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Chair
Ron Hawkins
Primary Subject Area
Psychology, Clinical
Keywords
Fire, EMS, Traumatic Stress, Fire/EMS, Coping Methods
Disciplines
Clinical Psychology | Psychology | Social and Behavioral Sciences
Recommended Citation
Holland, William Mark, "Fire/Emergency Medical Services and Coping Methods: Mitigating Traumatic Stress Symptomatology" (2008). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 90.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/90
Abstract
Firefighters and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) professionals must cope with a variety of job-related stressors. One significant stressor for fire/EMS providers involves exposure to personally disturbing incidents (PDIs). To manage the untoward effects of exposure to PDIs, fire/EMS professionals use a variety of coping methods. In this study, the effectiveness of various coping methods utilized by fire/EMS professionals for mitigating the negative effects of exposure to PDIs was examined. This study provides some clarity by identifying the subjective distress associated with certain PDIs and pinpointing detrimental coping methods of fire/EMS personnel through scores on the 28-item General Health Questionnaire and Ways of Coping Questionnaire. This study revealed five coping methods that were predictors for increasing traumatic stress symptomatology.
